Read the B-17 log and loved THAT. WOW! How on earth did any of them make 25 missions alive. Astounding insight into their day to day life. Was stunned by the number of screw-ups (operational, tactical, individual, weather-related, enemy induced). Had me wondering how we ever won the war.

Was stunned by the number of screw-ups (operational, tactical, individual, weather-related, enemy induced). Had me wondering how we ever won the war.

Thankfully, "they" made more mistakes than we did.

Amen! Regarding the European theater, without the man who started the war (Hitler), ironically we would have had a much more difficult time winning the war. He was responsible for more strategic gaffs than anyone else on their side (refusing to release his reserves immediately after the Normandy landings, as requested and recommended by his military commanders, because he was convinced they were a feint and the "real" landings were coming at Calais. Ordering his armies to stand their ground and fight to the last man resulting in their destruction or capture, rather than allowing them to strategically withdraw to fight another day, etc.).

Thank goodness for Hitler's tactical blunders because Germany sure wasn't short of capable field officers, soldiers and great machinery at times during the war.

I found some short stories as told by actual American WWII POWs from German POW camps .... The POW Stories

Interesting reading in there.

If you read the book Band of Brothers, you will find several accounts where the GI's had great admiration for both the German Soldiers and the Civilian population as well....They thought the Dutch were great as well....and did not have much use for the French.....

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"A fanatic is someone who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" Churchill